The SUNY Board of Trustees met to decide the future of the New Covenant Charter School in Albany. After a four to one vote to close and with six members abstaining from the vote, it seems the school will be closing at the end of the year. Our Sabina Kuriakose has more on the board's decision.

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A passionate plea from New Covenant Charter School's principal to the SUNY Board of Trustees as they met via teleconference to decide whether to close the book on New Covenant.

"A vote to close the school will take them from the stability that New Covenant has offered them to the chaos that exists at the Albany district," Jean-Baptiste said.

But despite Jean-Baptist's warnings, the board voted four to one to close the school, citing a high turnover rate among students and teachers, underperforming students and financial instability.

"A charter school should be outperforming their public school district and this one isn't," said Jennifer Sneed, Senior Vice President of Charter Schools Institute.

Despite the school's recent progress in improving test scores, board members said it's too little, too late.

"This is not a question of whether they can get a second chance," said SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman Carl Hayden. "This is a question of whether they get yet another in a long line of second chances."

Nearly 400 of the school's 650 kids will now enter the Albany City School District, bringing with them up to $4 million in funding that will go towards closing the district's $6 million budget gap.

"We know this is a very difficult day and we want to reassure them we are here to do everything we can to make a smooth transition," said Ron Lesko, City District spokesman.

"I'm mad. I'm mad. My daughter's doing very well," said parent Jeanelle Ritzie.

Parents and students rallied only a day ago to keep New Covenant open. Many say they don't understand why the school is closing. They say it's been good for the kids and for the community.

"I didn't want to put her in a public school, but I gotta put her in a public school now," Ritzie said.

New Covenant will close its doors at the end of this school year. At least a third of its Albany area students will enroll in Arbor Hill Elementary School.

New Covenant's Board of Trustees released the following statement on Tuesday:

There were 11 SUNY Board Members present at today’s meeting. It is our understanding that according to the SUNY by-laws, only a ‘majority of those present’ constitutes a valid action by the Board. As 6 Board Members did not support the committee recommendation to close New Covenant Charter School, we do not believe the action taken today is legally valid.

The SUNY Board must adhere to the strict guidelines of their by-laws to take any action. It is clear that a majority of the Board could not support the closing of New Covenant, which would send the great majority of our students to lower performing schools.

Given the tremendous impact to students and our community, we call on the Board to ensure that this vote is in fact a representation of SUNY’s view on the closure recommendation.